Michael Johnson’s inaugural Grand Slam Track event has sparked significant controversy, particularly from field athletes who feel their disciplines have been sidelined in favor of track events. Johnson’s vision for the new league was to inject fresh energy into the sport, but the absence of field events like long jump, high jump, and pole vault has led to criticism from some of track and field’s biggest stars.
Among the most vocal critics is Tara Davis-Woodhall, the 2024 Paris Olympic long jump champion. She has expressed her frustration with the focus on track events, arguing that track and field is a combined discipline, and excluding the field events undermines the sport’s full identity. In a social media post, she emphasized the importance of including all elements of track and field, saying, “It’s track and field for a reason,” and accusing Johnson of altering the sport to fit his narrow vision. Davis-Woodhall also raised questions about Johnson’s sudden involvement in the sport after years of absence, suggesting that if he truly wanted to change track and field, he would have done so much earlier.
The backlash intensified when Gianmarco Tamberi, the reigning Olympic high jump champion from Tokyo 2020, joined the conversation. Tamberi, who has also claimed gold at the 2023 World Championships and the 2024 European Championships, didn’t hold back in expressing his displeasure with Johnson’s approach. Responding to a post where Johnson asked for fan feedback on how to improve the league, Tamberi criticized the absence of jumps, saying, “Without jumps, you can’t do better than what you’re already doing. You’re doing great, for real, it’s not your fault… But track and field without the field is just fu**ing boring.” Tamberi’s words reflect a broader sentiment among field athletes who feel sidelined and underappreciated in Johnson’s vision for the sport.
The controversy has been compounded by the low attendance at the Grand Slam Track’s opening event in Kingston, Jamaica. Despite attracting top talent like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, and Masai Russell, the event failed to fill the 35,000-seat stadium. The empty stands became a focal point for critics, who argue that Johnson’s effort to revive track and field rings hollow if the crowds aren’t showing up. The poor turnout has raised doubts about the sustainability and effectiveness of the Grand Slam Track in its current form.
This growing criticism from field athletes and the disappointing reception of the opening event suggest that the future of Grand Slam Track may depend on its ability to evolve. Many believe the league must find a way to incorporate both track and field events to truly honor the sport’s full legacy and appeal to all its athletes. The lack of field events has alienated some of the sport’s biggest stars, who feel their disciplines are being disregarded in favor of sprints, hurdles, and distance races.
As the league progresses, the question remains whether Johnson will heed the concerns of field athletes and include their events in future editions of the Grand Slam Track. If the league continues to exclude these events, it risks losing the support of some of track and field’s most iconic athletes and could struggle to maintain its relevance in the broader landscape of the sport. The pushback from Olympic champions like Davis-Woodhall and Tamberi highlights the importance of inclusivity in preserving the sport’s true essence. If Grand Slam Track is to succeed, it will need to find a way to bring together all elements of track and field, not just the track.
